Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez will resign effective August 31, to take a position as Executive Vice President at AARP in Washington, D.C.
“Secretary Cortés-Vázquez has been with my Administration from the beginning, leading the Department of State with skill and distinction,” Governor Paterson said. “As Secretary of State, Lorraine has been able to take the important roles of the Department of State – from real estate licensing to business incorporation to local government services – and combine them under the banner of better and more efficient service for the people of the State. She has balanced the often competing interests of economic development and environmental protection with thoughtfulness and dexterity. AARP will be lucky to have her, and we look forward to her work on behalf of older persons in New York and throughout the country.”
Secretary Cortés-Vázquez said: “I would like to thank Governor Paterson for the opportunity to serve the people of New York. I am proud of the work we’ve done together in bringing about fiscal responsibility, creating healthier communities, supporting sustainable development and promoting diversity in all aspects of State government. It has been both rewarding and inspiring to travel all across this State and partner with local elected officials, non-profits, business owners and community leaders all working to build a better New York. Our State is going through challenging times, but thanks to efforts of this Administration and our partners in and out of government, I believe we have built the foundation for a strong recovery in the years ahead.”
Under the leadership of Secretary Cortés-Vázquez, the Department of State has invested nearly $130 million in 622 projects across the State to lower the cost of government services, saving taxpayer money; worked to improve the business climate in New York; regulated critical industries, such as security and real estate; oversaw safety initiatives, such as fire prevention and training; revitalized waterfronts and downtowns to promote smart growth; supported communities as they worked to eliminate poverty and create job opportunities for their residents; and lowered barriers of entry for those individuals historically underrepresented in government and the private sector.
